Stories for November 24, 2009

The city of San Diego won’t lose any sworn police officers or close any libraries under the mayor’s suggested budget proposal for the next 18 months. However, the plan relies on improved revenues in 2011 to avoid deeper cuts later.

The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego is studying ways to help people end their addiction to marijuana. There are three efforts underway to qualify ballot measures, for the 2010 election, that would legalize marijuana use in California.

It will be another week before senators begin floor debate on the Democrats' health care overhaul bill, but many in Washington are already predicting the demise of its current provision for a modest government-run insurance program.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Will 20 relatives be roaming around your house waiting to taste the turkey or the pumpkin pie? Well we have two of San Diego's premiere chefs in studio to answer your cooking questions and put any hosting anxieties to rest. We'll talk turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes and pie today on These Days.

With "Red Cliff" and "Ninja Assassin" both opening for the holiday weekend, I had Asian action on the brain. Well okay, I always have Asian action on the brain. Anyway, here's a new Thai film called "Raging Phoenix" that mixes Drunken Muay Thai, break dancing, and parkour.

An update on Swine Flu in San Diego County. County of San Diego Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten, joins us in studio to talk about the availability of the vaccine, what you can do to prevent infection and what people should do if they suspect they have the flu.

President Obama is expected to address the nation early next week, saying he will send a sizable force of additional troops to Afghanistan, sources tell NPR. The tentative plan is for the president to make his announcement Dec. 1.

We’re familiar with big corporations like Petco, Qualcomm and Cricket Wireless that buy the naming rights to sports and entertainment venues. But now these deals are beginning to infiltrate public education. The San Diego County Office of Education is looking for corporate sponsors to keep its extracurricular programs alive.